trammell



Feb. 14, 1956 E. M. TRAMMELL, JR 2,734,235

SASH AND SASH-BALANCE ASSEMBLIES s Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1951 mm in WT. #W M A W M M f f a 1956 E. M. TRAMMELL, JR 2,734,235

SAS AND SASH-BALANCE ASSEMBLIES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1951 //I 1/,l fd/? EARL M. TRAMMELL,JR.

E. M TRAMMELL, JR 2,734,235

SASH AND SASH-BALANCE ASSEMBLIES Feb. 14, 1956 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 15, 1951 WVf/V/fl/f EARL M. TRAMMELL, JR. a W

llnited States Patent SASH AND SASH-BALANCE ASSEMBLIES Earl M. Trammell, J12, St. Louis, Mo.

Application August 15, 1951, Serial No. 241,965

18 Claims. (Cl. 26-521) This invention relates to improvements in sash and sash-balance assemblies, and more particularly to an improved location and construction of a sash counterbalance springs and appurtenances, as for use with sliding window sash.

Counterbalancing provisions for the usual double-hung window assemblies earlier included the troublesome and space-consuming counterweight, followed by a later general adoption of counterbalancing springs of coil type, mounted by recessing the coil housing in the head jamb and space thereabove, and in many cases in the side elements of the frame. The space requirement incident to such spring mounting often entails considerable added expense and installation time, in many cases requiring the drilling of masonry or recessing of wood headers above the head jamb, all of which presents a serious disadvantage obviated entirely by present improvements. Further, inherent difliculties experienced with conventional fiat stock coil springs mounted as above mentioned, arise from the widely varying spring loading, hence a greatly fluctuating balancing efiect of such springs, as imparted to the sash in different portions of the range of sash move ment. As a compromise, partial compensation for this shortcoming, it has heretofore been customary to utilize a spring which will approximately balance the sash in the midpoint of its travel, resulting in either inadequate or excessive spring loading of the sash in other portions of its range of movement. The present improvements objectively overcome the noted shortcomings of conventional balance springs by enabling the use of balance springs of virtually constant-loading type, and which are or may be located inwardly of the jambs, may be sashcarried, and are located for easy access at all times.

A further highly important object of the present improvements is realized in what may be termed an inverted mounting of a balance spring serving as a slidable sash assembly in accordance with such improved arrangement, the spring coil being carried by the sash rather than by the sashway frame structure, with advantages which will appear.

Yet another object of the present improvements is realized in their facility for use with removable window sash of sliding type, as in double-hung windows, to provide an automatic or semi-automatic spring retention incident to removal of the sash from its sashway, and providing for a similar reapplication of the spring assembly in operative relation to the sash upon reinsertion of the sash into the sashway. 7

Additional objectives of importance, realized in a particular location of balance spring with respect to sash, are attained by providing a sash pocket or recess so located and of such proportion that a sash-carried spring and spring retainer are not required to be housed through their full width, by the sash recess therefor, with certain definite advantages of removal of the sash from the spring assembly, and the replacement of these-elements into operative relation as by inserting the sash over the spring fixture incident to sash replacement.

'ice the sash is so recessed as to permit the balance to be positioned in the region of the extreme end of the sash. Also of distinct advantage, the spring and immediately pertinent parts are so proportioned with respect to the sash recess therefor, as to require a sash recess of only minimal depth, thus avoiding any impairment of structural connection between the lower sash rail and the adjacent stiles.

A further object of high importance realizedby the present improvements, results from improved connector fixtures and arrangements, one feature of which provides a quick-detachable connection between balance spring and sash, and another of which provides a quick detachable connection between a spring retainer, and a sashway anchorage therefor. The improved fixtures per se, in addition to the combinations thereof with the sash and sashway elements, constitute valuable objectives of the current improvements.

The foregoing and numerous other objectives and advantages will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of certain advanced embodiments, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a double-hung window assembly embodying present improvements, as viewed from the inside or room side thereof, parts being broken away;

Objectively also,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly of Fig. l as taken along line 22 thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal View as taken in a horizontal plane as taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevation on an enlarged scale relative to Fig. 1, as taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and particularly showing certain of the fixtures and connector parts and the mounting of same in the region of the lower left hand corner of one of the sliding sash, this view also showing portions of the adjacent jamb or pulley stile;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a spring cage and appurtenant connector parts as viewed along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in a horizontal plane, the location of which is indicated by line 6-6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view in a vertical plane, on a somewhat enlarged scale, as taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 3, showing a centering spring located between the sash stile and jamb at one side of each of the sash, the locations of such springs being indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevation showing a modified form of spring retainer or cage and associated connector parts, and also showing portions of the adjacent jamb or pulley stile, Fig. 8 corresponding in general nature to Fig. 4, but showing a modified form of spring cage and appurtenances;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the spring cage of Fig. 8, particularly as viewed along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding in nature and location to Fig. 8 but showing a further modified form of spring cage or holder and appurtenant parts, together with adjacent portions of the sash and jamb;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view with certain parts in elevation, the location of this section being indicated by line 1111 of Fig. 10, and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevation corresponding in location to Figs. 4, 8 and 10, but showing a modified form of spring mounting and abutment, suitable for use in connection with a non-removable sash.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, which is based on a double-hung slidable sash assembly, the upper sash is indicated generally at 10, and the lower sash generally designated at 11. Each such sash comprises sash stiles 12 and 13, check rails 14 and (Figs. 1 and 2) the usual inside casing, sill 17, groove 18, and a blind stop 19 (Fig. 3) and may as usual include other frame and sash elements, all familiar to those skilled in this art. However, there is additionally noted for completeness, the usual fixed vertical stiles, each sometimes referred to as a jamb or a pulley stile and indicated at 25, into a groove or channel of which is set the parting head or stop 28.

The sash assembly illustrated is of such nature as to provide for easy manual removal of each of the sash as for purposes of cleaning, painting, glazing or the like, the manner of removal being later referred to. It is further noted as expediting later description that the several fixed frame elements forming the guide channels along which each. sash 10 or 11 is guidedly movable, are at times collectively herein referred to as the sashway, the sashway for each sash 10 or 11 serving, as well understood, to restrain the sash to operation in its own plane.

Further in reference to the provisions for removability of the sash entirely manually and without special skill or tools, there is provided an abnormal clearance at one side of the sliding sash between same and the adjacent vertical jamb or stile, such clearance being indicated at 30 (Fig. 3) and with a similar clearance space 31 in the region of the check rail along the parting stop 28.

But for certain special formations and the provision of special recessing in the sash and sashway elements, the sliding sash and the stationary framing therefor may be considered as of known type. For convenience, but without limitation, the window frame elements and sash are shown as of wood, although it should be distinctly noted that many of the present features are adaptable equally for use in and with metal sash of sliding type.

In the present arrangement sash 10 is provided in each of its lower corner regions with a recess 35, the lower sash 11 being provided with similar or identical recesses 3 5. These are side-open and bottom-open, usually consisting of shallow grooves serving to receive the balance spring and certain of the connector fixtures later to be described. Their dimension in the plane of the sash is preferably kept at a minimum so as to avoid any impairment of assembly in the tenon regions between the bottom rail and the ver tical sash stiles.

It is well known in double-hung sash assemblies to provide between the two guideways for the upper and lower sash, a parting bead partly defining and separating the channels therefor. The element 28, heretofore referred to, is however of somewhat greater depth than is usual, in view of the clearance 36 and that at 31. The parting bead carries a flexible metal sealing element serving the functions of a Weatherstrip and flexible air seal in this region, being indicated at 37 in Figs. 3 and 6; the base of the channel is attached to the outermost face of the parting stop 28, and similarly to a somewhat more shallow parting stop 38 (Fig. 6), in this case located at the right hand margin of the sashway. It may here be noted that no more than operating clearance need be provided between the margins of the sash, and the stop or bead 38 as shown by Fig. 6. Since, as will appear, the removal of the sash occurs first through a translatory movement in the plane f the sash followed by a swinging movement thereof out of the frame, such translatory sash displacement will in the present structure take place entirely to the left, by realization of the abnormal clearances 30-411.

Further special formations as recesses or routing, include the provision in the preferred form, of a shallow spring or tape recess indicated at 41 being a vertical groove along each of the jambs or pulley stiles.25. A pair of these recesses, one medially of each sash channel, are located substantially as shown by Fig. 3 and at each side of each sashway, one of the grooves also appearing in Fig. 10.

Along a part of the range of movement of each sash, the jamb is more deeply undercut below a short length of groove 41 to form a special grooving best appearing in Fig. 4 and indicated at 42, there being four of these in each assembly located at the opposite sides of the lower portion of each sash when the latter are in or near positions to permit their removal. The purpose of grooves 42 will later appear.

It is considerably preferred to utilize for purposes of balancing each of the sash, at least one and preferably two coil springs, the coil of each of which is indicated at 45. Each such spring is by extreme preference of a constantload characteristic, such for example as the Negator" spring available to the trade for other fields of usage. The Negator spring is of special formation such as to exhibit virtually the same loading or pull irrespective of the extent to which its convolutions or coils are unwound into straight lengths, thus serving accurately to balance the sash irrespective of position of same, whether in open, closed or in any intermediate position.

So as to avoid the shortcomings of conventional types of springs and conventional mounting of spring coils, the springs 45, preferably two per sash, are arranged in inverted mounting position on the sash, i. 6., so that the extended lengths such as 46 of each coil extend upwardly and outwardly therefrom to a point of anchorage, being fastened as by screws 47 at a point in the sashway, for example, to the jamb 25, above the highest point of travel of the spring coil 45. In this connection it should be understood that the extended spring portion constitutes in effect, a balance tape, and thus, for all purposes of present description and clearance, the terminal portion of each spring may consist either, as shown, of a length of the spring per se, or of a se arate tape element secured thereto.

Proceeding now to describe the preferred manner of detachably mounting the spring on the sash, there is provided for each such spring a retainer, holder, or cage generally indicated at 50 (Figs. 4 and 5). These cakes may be made uniformly, i. e. are not required to be right and left handed, being side-for-side reversible to permit usage at either of the opposite sides of each sash. Each cage includes a frame comprised of a pair of side plates 51 and 52 maintained in spaced parallelism through a top bridge piece 53, cross pins 54, one of which may constitute a pintle or pivot pin 55 serving to support a core 56 for the spring iii.

The intermediate portions of the side plates 5l--52 are more widely spaced (Pig. 5) over a length of the cage comparable to the maximum diameter of the spring coil 45, and at each end beyond the spring cas ing portion, the cage is restricted somewhat in width. The upper end portion of the cage includes particular side plate formations, best shown by Fig. 4 as including at the upper ends of the plates SI-52, a convergent, V shape throat forming an abutment seat, the sloping sides of which are indicated at 57 and 60. Near the confluence of the sloping margins 57-60, is a notch 61 slightly wider than sufiicient to accommodate a vertical abutment flange 62 later described. The plates 5l52 are further formed on the jamb side of the fixture to provide rounded springengaging margins 63 which, as will appear from Fig. 4, serve as a shoe, acting slidably to engage the extended portion of the spring or tape connected thereto. The intermediate region of the cage is provided with a pair of parallel extensions or ears 64 which are apertured coincident with a vertical median through the cage, to receive the pivot pin 55. It is noted as an important inherent feature of the constant-load spring 45, that it tends to lie flat against the bottom of groove 41.

The lowermost end portion of the cage is ot reduced width similarly to the upper end region, and is transversely apertured to receive the inturned terminal ends of an anchoring loop or bail 65. This loop or bail is preferably formed of spring wire stock. As is now obvious it may be pivotally swung about an axis identified with its inturned ends 66, and due to its resilience, will retain whatever angular position is imparted thereto, until intentionally moved.

Brief reference was heretofore made to the flange 62, Such flange or abutment interfits and coacts with the notch 61 which thus normally constitutes a seat for the edge of flange 62. The flange and notch, as will be seen from Fig. 4, are normally located in a vertical plane which intersects the axis of the spring coil therebelow, and the flange 62 is fixedly supported with respect to the sash since it is formed of an integral extension of an arm 67 which latter merges through a right angled fold into a mounting base 68 apertured to receive mounting screws 70. The width of the base and abutment elements 62, 67, 68 is preferably such that this fixture will substantially fully bridge the recess 35 or 36 in which it is mounted, and is thus prevented from twisting or cocking.

It will now have appeared that the spring loading or tension of the coil structure 45 will act in opposition to the weight of the sash to counterbalance same; further that the weight of the sash and the loading of the spring coact to maintain in normal operative relation, the spring cage and the abutment, the latter here identified with the flange 62, in such manner that when either the spring cage or the abutment fixture is relieved of its loading, the sash and spring cage may be quickly and readily separated, which fact utilizes the L shaped or Z shaped fixture 62, 67, 68, in coaction with the spring cage, as a two-part, quickly separable connector fixture.

By way of illustrating the function of the eye, bail or loop member 65, reference is now made to a hook fixture generally indicated at 75 (Fig. 4) and including a mounting plate '76 apertured to receive an attachment screw 77 through which this fixture is fastened to the adjacent jamb r stile 25. The lower portion of the mounting base of this fixture is comprised of a depending metal tongue 78, the lower or terminal end 79 of which is or may be deflected to some extent as appears from Fig. 4. This tongue overlies the upper portion of the groove 42 heretofore referred to, the width of this groove being such as to receive the bight portion of the swingable loop or bail 65, the inside width of the latter being sufficient to permit the tongue 79 of the hook fixture to project through the loop. It will now have become obvious that when the selected sash is moved to a predetermined position, for example in the general region of the closed position of the bottom sash, the sash recess 35 or 36 being open at the bottom, bail 65 on the spring cage is swung upwardly and outwardly as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, so that the bight of the bail will enter the groove 42. A slight upward movement of the sash and cage when the bail is thus deflected, will bring the loop or bail upwardly and behind the tongue 79 on the fixture 78. This provision is utilized when it is desired to condition the spring assembly for sash removal. A slight upward movement of the sash beyond the position shown by Fig. 4 will thus arrest the spring, through the spring cage, due to the interfittingengagernent of the loop eye and the tongue 79. The loading of the spring 45, acting in an upward direction, will thus serve to keep captive the spring coil, with its extended end under tension. A further slight upward movement of the sash as shown by Fig. 4, will lift the flange 62 out of the notch 61, thus arresting the spring cage and spring, and conditioning the connector to permit ready separation of the abutment 62 from the cage slot therefor. Such last lifting movement results in separation of the spring and cage from the sash. The operation is the same for the lower sash, which for removal is actuated to bring its springs opposite the fixtures 75 therefor (Fig. 2).

Further special fixtures now described include a biasing fixture generally indicated at 80 which consists of a normally vertical mounting base 81 apertured for the reception of screws 82, and a downwardly sloping camming arm 83 provided with a rounded end 84. A

r amass web 85 bridges and relatively stabilizes the base 81 and arm 83 and keeps the camming arm 83 at a constant angle. The web 85 may be apertured as at 86, under certain conditions it being desirable to utilize one or more such openings 86 for the reception of screws, particularly in the mounting of the biasing fixture to serve the upper sash. Only two of the biasing fixtures 80 are normally required with the assembly disclosed.

By reason of the desirability for maintaining a substantial clearance along the left hand stile of each sash, provision is desirably made for keeping each of the sash in a fixed path of travel in its own sashway. A low cost and highly effective provision for this purpose is shown by Fig. 7, illustrating the structure and location of a special bow spring fixture generally indicated at 87 and so identified as to location, in Fig. 1, only one such fixture being required per sash, although more may be utilized if desired. Each fixture 87 includes, preferably in a one-piece structure, a flat mounting base 88 apertured to receive a fastening screw 89. Beyond this substantially planar mounting portion is an arch formation resulting in the bowed aspect of the spring, and indicated at 90. The entire spring fixture, and particularly the arch portion thereof, is by preference of a special formation which is or may be of the same character given the balance springs such as 45, with the result that, although the fixture 87 is depressible 0r compressible, the loading thereof. will not vary noticeably between starting and completion of the range of compressive actuation. This spring may be of so-called Negator type. The arch portion 90 is continued therebeyond, in a reversely curved, rounded terminal 91, which is unsecured, thus permitting this end to work freely over the surface supporting the element, incident to its compressive actuation.

The fixture 87 is located between the sash stile and the adjacent jamb, and while it may be mounted either on jamb or stile, is shown as attached through the screw 89, to a sash stile 12.

Before describing the manner of sash removal and reinsertion thereof, there may be noted certain advantages of the more or less special formation of the parting stop 28, particularly the somewhat reduced outermost section thereof underlying the flanges of the weather strip element 37, and the oblique faces 105. It will now have become obvious that when the sash, for example the lower sash 11, is in normal operative position in the sashway, it will be centered depthwise between the inside flange of the weather strip 37 and a bead formation of the inside stop element 106 engaging an auxiliary inside stop element 107 and positioned in the part by an inside casing 108 and further that, upon compression-of the bow spring, the sash may be shifted to the left (Figs. 1 and 3) to an extent permitted by the clearances 30 and 31. Following this the right hand stile of the sash will clear the parting stop 38 and the inside stop 106, at the right hand side of the assembly. Thus the sash may now be swung, right hand margin outwardly, to clear the framing elements, the left hand stile of the sash being permitted so to turn by the adjacent obliquely relieved formation of the parting bead 28. The sash may now be bodily removed from the sashway and separated from all fixed frame elements, conditioned however on suitable attention to the counterbalance connector, as will now be described:

Vertical location of the sash to permit removal thereof involves bringing the sash to a position such that the biasing fixture 80 will be cleared by the sash incident to the aforesaid translatory sash movement. Preparatory to such shifting movement, the sash is brought slightly above its lowermost position, the loop or bail 65 being swung outwardly to the dotted position shown by Fig. 4, followed by a slight lifting movement of the sash with entrapment of the bail beneath the hook end 79, these parts being kept in interfitted relation due to the loading of the spring 45. A still further slight upward movement of the sash brings the abutment flange 62 out of the seat therefor on the top of the cage 50. The sash is then raised further until the sash is located somewhat above the biasing fixture 80. In this position, the biasing fixture 80 Will be cleared upon lateral translatory sash movement incident to removal as above described.

The reinsertion of the sash into the sashway involves merely a reverse order of the steps above described. The sash is inserted, left stile first into the sashway channel therefore; the right hand stile swung rearwardly toward the frame while keeping the sash to left, so as to restore the right hand stile to its normal sliding relation. Such restoration occurs with the sash somewhat above the biasing fixture 80, and following the first reapplication to the sashway, the sash is brought downwardly. At this time the camming arm 83 of the biasing fixture 80 will act to shift the sash slightly to the right into its normal path of sliding movement close or adjacent to the parting stop 38, Fig. 6. A still further lowering movement of the sash will bring the vertical abutment flange 62 into the notch 61, the spring cage being centered by one or the other of the sloping camming edges 61 or 57. A still further lowering movement of the sash now picks up the spring cage 50, causing a slight descent of same, and a slight further downward movement of the sash and cage causes an inward deflection of the bight end of the bail 65 due to engagement thereof with the sloping lower end 110 of the groove 42 (Fig. 4). The slight deflection of the terminal 79 on the hook fixture will prevent unintended reengagement of the bail arm behind the hook as the sash is lifted. Once the sash is restored to full normal operative relation within its sashway and to the spring and spring cage, it is so maintained by the bow spring 87, and is freely slidable in either direction in its sashway.

It will appear from Fig. 4 that since the spring pull is imparted by the jamb side of the coil, the spring will issue from the coil with a smooth rolling action against the adjacent jarnb; also that the line of pull, being on the jamb side of the coil, will cause the coil and cage to hug the jarnb at all times, since pulled to the left (Fig. 4). The coil is prevented from swinging to the right by the engagement of the edge 57, where same corners and fulcrums against flange 62, thus preventing engagement of the face of the coil with the adjacent surface within the spring recess. The same effect is similarly obtained in the arrangement of Fig. 8, later described. and in the arrangements of Figs. 10 and 12 through the structure and mounting referred to in connection with the latter figures.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a somewhat modified form of spring cage and spring. As therein shown, the spring 120, is by great preference of a substantially flat, coil type, and of a constant-loading character similar to the spring (Fig. 4). In this arrangement the coil is provided with an external arbor and restraining structure, constituting in effect, a cage. As in the forms earlier described, certain of the same fittings are or may be utilized; for example, an abutment member 626768 earlier described in connection with Fig. 4, and a biasing fixture generally indicated at 89 and earlier described. Likewise a hook fixture generally designated at and earlier described, may be utilized for anchorage of the spring and cage during periods of sash removal. The modified cage (Figs. 8 and 9) comprises a pair of side plates 121 122 the spacing between which conforms substantially to the width of the spring coil, in the region thereof, so that the coil of the spring is floatingly retained therein, and is shown without an internal core or arbor. Extending above the plates 121 and 122, are a pair of plates 121' and 122, bridged by member 123, and pivotally connected through a pin 125 to the plate 121 and 12.2. These latter are structurally bridged and spaced by a cross element 124. The spacing of the side -8 plates is less in the upper and lower portions of the cage than centrally thereof, being there widened to receive the spring. The headed pin 125 heretofore mentioned, provides for rotatable mounting of an external arbor or roller 126. The upper margins of the plate members 121' and 122' are provided with oppositely sloped camming edges 127 and 128, between which and substantially in the zone of edge convergence is a notch 130 constituting a seat for the edge of abutment member 62 carried by the sash. An upper portion of each of the plates is provided with a projecting rounded nose or spring shoe 131 corresponding in purpose to the formations 63 in the arrangement of Fig. 4, and normally lightly bearing against the extended length of tape or spring which, as before noted, will inherently tend to hug the iamb 25 and in the case of provision of the spring groove 41 therein, the projections 131 will aid in thus disposing the extended portion of the coil 120.

The lower end of the spring cage is extended outwardly, i. e. toward the jamb 25 to constitute a hook end, or if desired an eye or bail coacting with the portion 79 of the fixture 75 during periods of spring anchorage, as more fully described in reference to the structure of Fig. 4.

As in Fig. 4, the sash, which may be considered as lower sash 11, is provided with a shallow recess or pocket, similarly provided in the upper sash. in the case of a single balance spring such a pocket is formed in one of the lower side margins of the sash, and in the case of the double spring arrangement as preferred both lateral margins of the sash are thus recessed. The shallow pocket or recess in this arrangement, as in those earlier described, need be of a depth horizontally, sutiicient to accommodate a portion, say one half, of the width of the spring and cage assembly. This minimal horizontal depth of the sash pocket 132 is possible by reason of the abnormal clearance between sash stile and jamb, as indicated at 39, and is provided to permit and facilitate removal of the sash incident to shifting thereof edgewise or in its own plane.

In the arrangement of Figs. 8 and 9 the tail hook 133 of the cage coacts with the fixed hook 7ii-79 on fixture 75, to constitute a two-part separable anchorage connector for retention of the spring and cage during periods of sash removal. Similarly, the spring cage of Figs. 8 and 9 serves with the abutment fixture 62 during normal window operation, as a two-part detachable connector, the parts of which are readily separable incident to sash removal. It should particularly be noted in reference to Figs. 8 and 9 that the spring coil .120 abuts in rolling engagement, the roller 126, and that the latter operates on an axis which is offset, toward the center of the sash, from a vertical line intersecting the abutment 62, notch 13% and the axis of the coil 12%. From the oilsct roller abutment there results an inherent function, when utiliz ing a single balance spring, to bias the sash such as 11, to the right (Fig. 8), and thus tending to maintain the sash in its normal operating path and in engagement with the stop 38. Similarly, when utilizing two springs 120, one for each opposite lower margin of the sash, the offaxial location of the rollers both located distinctly inwardly of the plane of the extended spring ends, will tend to cradle the sash toward its normal path of movement, with what may be termed a distinct sash-centering effect. The manner of removal and reinsertion of the sash when equipped with the fixtures (Figs. 8 and 9) is or may be identical with the procedure described in connection with the preferred structure, it being noted that the lower end of the cage provided with the tail hool: 133 may be easily rocked into and out of positions to engage portion 79 of fixture 75 in the same manner as the bail 65 of Fig. 4.

Figs 10 and 11 illustrate a still further somewhat simplified modification of spring, spring cage and mounting thereof. In this form, the anchorage or book fixture 75 may be utilized as may the biasing fixture generally indicated at 80; likewise the sash, exemplified by sash 11, is provided With a shallow spring recess 135. Partly within and partly without the saeh pocket 135 is coil spring 136 by preference of constant-load type such as the Negator spring above referred to. A spring spool, together with a long spring wire bail, loop or eye 138 in this case constitutes a spring cage. The spring spool generally indicated at 140 is comprised of side plates 141 axially apertured to receive, as a pivot pin, the inturned ends of the bail 138. A large axial opening through the hub of the spool, assures that the bail ends are freely journalled, and that no turning movement is imparted to the bail as the spring spool may be rotated. The plates 141 are circular and are bridged by and have rolling engagement with roller element 142, the latter being journalled on a shaft or pin 143 extended horizontally through the marginal portion of the sash, specifically the recessed portion 135 thereof. In the arrangements of Figs. and 11, the spring cage, through the plates 141, has a substantially linear abutting relation with the roller 142, the latter constituting a sash-carried abutment for the spring and cage assembly. In this modification the spring cage together with roller 142 constitute a two-part separable spring-sash connector, and similarly to early described structures, the bail 138 and fixture 75 constitute a two part separable spring-anchorage fixture during periods of sash removal. Thus, as before, the spring cage serves normally with the abutment roller 142, and during removal periods is separable therefrom and serves with the anchorage fixture 75.

It is noted as a preference that the roller 142 be offset toward the center of the sash, from a vertical plane normally including the axis of the spring coil. Thus the arrangement of Figs. 10 and 11 exhibits the same centerbiasing effect on the sash and outwardly-biasing effect on the spring coil as described in connection with Fig. 8.

A still further modified form of inverted balance spring mounting suitable for use in connection with sliding sash of non-removable type, is shown by Fig. 12, representing an extremely simplified low cost arrangement in which the spring and spring abutment are substantially fully housed within a sash pocket or recess 150, which need be open only at its side, although if desired may, similar to those utilized in removable sash, also be open at the bottom. This arrangement utilizes a spring identified with a coil 151, a spool having a hub 152, and a pivot pin 153 being optional, and usually not employed. Spring 151 is by preference also of constant load characteristic such as the Negator spring and extends upwardly from the outside of the coil to a point of anchorage (not shown). It is a preference that the coil 151 be spool mounted, the side plates on the spool, one of which is shown at 154, engaging in abutting but rotatable relation a roller 155 mounted on a pin 156 extending horizontally and parallel to the spring coil axis in the same relation as shown in connection with roller 142 (Fig. 11).

In this case only an operating sash-clearance need be provided as indicated at 157, since the sash 158 is not required to have any appreciable lateral movement.

In the arrangement of Fig. 12, upon removal of stops and other sash-retaining structure the spring coil is unwound to the desired extent, and is disposed edgewise into the recess 150, and when the sash is located in its normal operative plane with stops replaced, the coil cage constituted of the spring spool is kept captive by the roller 155 and if the core 152 and pin 153 be omitted, the adjacent jamb and inner wall of the pocket will position the spool and hence the spring. If desirable, as in certain assemblies the pin and core 153152 will of course keep the coil captive within the recess 150.

In this structure the coil through its cage or spool has a rockable edge abutment, even though it has also a rolling engagement, with the roller 155. Similarly also ,to the structure earlier described, the arrangement results in an inverted pendular mounting of the sash through the spring, and due to the divergence of the upwardly extended spring ends, such extended portions under tension, will tend to cradle the sash between two points of support at opposite sides thereof, with sash-centering effect, as earlier described.

Although the invention has been described by particularized reference to preferred embodiments and installation, and minor modifications thereof, the detail of description should be understood solely as informative rather than in any limiting sense, numerous variants being possible within the intended scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. A counterbalance and connector structure for use in a sliding sash assembly including a sash and elements providing a sashway therefor, comprised of a counterbalance spring serving the sash, means anchoring a free end of the spring at a fixed position along the sashway, a fixture by which the spring is carried for extensible and retractible spring movement, and abutment means coacting with the fixture to provide a detachable connection between the fixture and the sash.

2. A counterbalance and connector structure for use in a sliding sash assembly including a sash and elements providing a sashway therefor, comprised of a wound .coil spring serving to counterbalance the weight of the sash, a spring cage, means including a portion of the cage providing a detachable interfitting connection between the cage and the sash, said means and cage utilizing the loading of the spring in maintaining the connection of the spring and cage to the sash, when the sash is in operative positions in the sashway, and spring-arrestor means including a portion of said cage constituting a separable connection for retaining the spring apart from the sash.

3. A counterbalance and connector structure for use in a sliding sash assembly including fixed vertical and horizontal elements together with bead and stop members forming a sashway, and a sash vertically movable in the sashway, and provided with a lower recess, open at the bottom of the sash, the counterbalance and connector structure comprised of a sash balance spring of constantloading coil type, a spring cage carried by the sash and normally extended into the sash recess, an abutment engaging said cage for detachably connecting the cage to said sash, the spring issuing from said cage between the sash and a fixed stile element of the sashway, and a terminal anchorage for the spring, located along the sashway above the range of travel of the cage, the sash recess being open at the bottom to enable assembly of the sash to the spring and cage, by application of the sash downwardly thereover.

4. An inverted balance spring assembly for a sliding sash operable in a sashway, comprised of a flat coil spring, a retainer for the spring from which the spring may be extended upwardly in the sashway, the sash being laterally recessed such that the retainer may extend into the recess, an abutment for the retainer located in the sash recess above said retainer, said abutment engaging retainer and serving as a fixed anchorage for the spring retainer, the abutment being loaded by the spring acting through the retainer, to maintain engagement between the abutment and the retainer when the sash is in the sashway.

5. An inverted counterbalance spring assembly for sliding sash operable in a sashway, said counterbalance spring assembly comprised of a coil spring of constantloading type, a retainer for the spring, the sash being provided with a side recess to receive the retainer, an abutment for the spring retainer, located in the sash recess and constituting a fixed seat for the spring retainer normally subjected to spring loading through the retainer when engaged thereby, and a spring-arresting connector between the sash and a fixed stile, said connector including a pair of interfitting connector elements one of which is fixed in position in the sashway in the region of one limit of sash movement, and another such element adapted to engage the first said element in interfitted relation, the second said element being carried by the spring retainer and selectively movable into and out of position to engage the first said connector element incident to movement of the sash through a predetermined portion of its path of actuation.

6. A counterbalance and connector structure for use in a window assembly including a sliding sash, together with fixed vertical and horizontal members forming a sashway in which the sash is vertically operable, the counterbalance and connector structure comprised of a counterbalance spring carried by the sash, an anchorage for said spring located along the sashway and above the range of operative positions of the spring, a two-part separable connector carried by the sash, the sash being recessed along one margin to accommodate said connector, a cage for the spring located at least in part in said sash recess and constituting one element of said connector, a cramming portion on one of said connector parts adapted to coact with the other part of the connector, to the end of aligning the connector parts when the sash reinserted in the sashway following removal, and a cumming fixture mounted in the sashway and adapted for engagement with the spring cage.

7. A counterbalance and connector structure for use in a window assembly of counterbalanced, sliding-sash type including a sliding sash, fixed stile, bead, rail and like elements forming a sashway in which the sash is slidably and guidedly movable, the sash being provided with a lateral recess in the lower portion of a sash stile, the counterbalance and connector comprised of a balance spring serving the sash, and including a coil portion located substantially within said recess, and a terminal portion extended outwardly and upwardly of the recess to an anchored end, anchorage means securing such end of inc spring terminal portion at a point above the range of movement of the spring coil, a holder for the spring coil, normally in the sash recess, an abutment for the coil holder, also located in the sash recess, the holder and abutment constituting a separable connector for separably attaching the spring to the sash, and a springarrestor fixture, located in the sashway near the coil holder when the sash is near a closed position, the arrestor fixture and coil holder coacting to constitute a separable connection for selectively retaining the spring coil in inoperative relation apart from the sash, when desired to remove the sash from the sashway.

8. A counterbalance and connector structure for use in a window assembly of counterbalanced, sliding-sash type including a sliding sash, fixed stile, bead, rail and like elements forming a sashway in which the sash is slidably movable, the sash being provided with a lateral recess in the lower end portion of a sash stile, the counterbalance and connector structure comprised of a balance spring serving the sash, and including a coil portion located substantially within said recess, and a terminal portion extended outwardly and upwardly of the recess to an anchored end, anchorage means securing the spring terminal portion and located at a point above the highest oint of movement of the spring coil, a cage for the spring coil normally in the sash recess, an abutment for the cage also located in the sash recess, the cage and abutment constituting a separable connector for releasable attachment of the spring to the sash, a hook element, and a bail clement, said elements constituting a springarrestor fixture, one of said elements being located in the sashway near the spring cage when the sash is near a closed position, and the other said element being carried the cage, said elements coacting to constitute a separable connection for selectively retaining the cage e'twith the spring coil, in inoperative relation apart from the sash, when desired to remove the sash trom the sashway.

9. A counterbalance and connector structure for use in a window assembly of counterbalanced, sliding-sash type including a sliding sash, fixed stile, bead, rail and like elements forming a sashway in which the sash is slidably movable, the sash being provided with a lateral recess in a lower portion of a sash stile, the counter balance and connector structure comprised of a balance spring serving the sash, and including a coil portion located substantially within said sash recess, and a terminal portion extended outwardly and upwardly of the recess to an anchored end, anchorage means securing the spring terminal portion at a point above the highest point of movement of the spring coil, a retainer cage for the spring coil, normally located in the sash recess, an inverted edge abutment also located in the sash recess, the spring cage being provided with an edge-receiving seat and formed to provide a margin sloping toward the region of said seat, the said edge abutment coacting with the spring cage to form a separable connector attaching the spring through its cage, to the sash, and a spring-arrestor fixture located in the sashway near the spring cage when the sash is near a closed position, the arrestor fixture and cage coacting to constitute a separable connection for selectively retaining the spring coil in inoperative relation apart from the sash, when dcsired to remove the sash from the sashway, and a stationary fixture located in the sashway and having a camrning surface sloping downwardly toward the lowermost position of the cage when the sash is near closed position, and coacting with the separable sash-cage connector for directing the elements thereof into mutual interfitting relation incident to restoration of the sash to the sashway.

lO. A counterbalance and connector structure for use in a sliding sash assembly including stationary vertical and horizontal elements forming a guideway tor the sliding sash, a sash slidably operable in said guideway as a fixed sashway, said counterbalance and connector structure comprised of a coil spring of fiat metal stock serving as a counterbalance for the sash, a spring cage formed to confine the coiled portion of the spring while permitting issuance thereof vertically of the sash and upwardly into the sashway along the path of the sash, separable, normally abutting members, one on the spring cage and another on the sash, and separable engageablc members for anchoring the spring cage, with the spring under tension, at a predetermined position in the sashway to permit removal of the sash from the cage and spring as well as from the sashway, the last said members including a hook element and an eye element one on the coil cage and the other fixed in position in thc sashway to permit interengagement of the last said elements for arresting the spring and cage during periods of removal of the sash from the sashway.

11. A sash-mounted counterbalance spring assembly for use with sliding window sash operable in a sashway, comprised of a pair of springs of substantially fiat, wound-coil type, normally carried at opposite sides of the sash, a spring cage for each spring, each spring cage being provided with a convergent threat, a sash-carried abutment above each said spring coil, each sash-carried abutment engaging in the throat of a said spring cage, each spring coil being extended upwardly and laterally of the sash, so as to constitute with the abutment an inverted pendular support for the sash at each side thereof, the springs, cages and abutments coacting to center the sash in the sashway.

12. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited by claim 11, but further characterized in that the spring cage and abutment constitute a detachable connector between sash and spring, and in which the abutment is restricted to a narrow linear cage abutting area parallel to the spring coil axis, about which abutment the cage and coil are mounted for rockable displacement incident to the said sash-centering action.

13. In a slidable window sash assembly, means forming a sashway, a sash slidable in the sashway, a coil spring carried by and at one side of the sash, and extended from the coil upwardly along the sash, means anchoring a terminal end of the spring above the limit of travel of the coil, and a rolling abutment for the spring coil, carried by the sash.

14. The combination and arrangement of elements according to claim 13, further characterized by a lateral sash pocket, and in which the spring coil and rolling abutment are at least partly enclosed, and further characterized in that the rolling abutment is located above the spring coil.

15. In a balance unit for a sliding window sash assembly a counterbalance spring of coil type, the coil of which is sash-carried, and extensible upwardly of the coil to a spring-terminal anchorage thereabove, and a coil abutment located above the coil axis, and offset in a direction toward the center of the sash, from a vertical line intersecting the spring coil axis. 7

16. The balance unit as recited by claim 15, but further characterized in that the coil abutment consists of a roller rotatable on an axis parallel to that of the spring coil.

17. A spring connector and mounting fixture for detachable assembly of a balance spring to a sliding sash, the fixture comprising a spring of wound, fiat metal stock adapted to issue from a coil, a pair of spaced plates and cross members connecting the plates to form a retaining cage for the coil of the spring, said plates being notched at their upper ends, and a flange above the cage, separably fitting into the said notched region of the plates,

the flange including a supporting base apertured for the reception of screws for attachment to the sash.

18. A spring, spring-connector and cage structure for detachable assembly of a coil spring counterbalance to a sliding sash,-the cage structure including spaced plates, a spring coil held between said plates with a terminal spring end extensible outwardly and upwardly of the cage structure for anchorage thereabove, a vertical abutment plate normally above the spring coil, means on the abutment plate to enable attaching same in fixed position to one side of a sash, the spaced plates being shaped above the coil to form a converging throat normally engaged by the abutment plate, but freely separable therefrom, whereby the abutment plate and throat portion of the cage form a detachable connection between the spring assembly and sash, in a zone between the spring coil and spring terminal anchorage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 26,873 Crane Ian. 17, 1860 29,631 Messer et a1 Aug. 14, 1860 374,105 Wilson NOV. 29, 1887 379,502 Brinkerhoif Mar. 13, 1888 1,443,571 Gardner et al. Ian. 30, 1923 1,621,095 Utter Mar. 15, 1927 1,889,752 Madsen Dec. 6, 1932 1,932,906 Muir et al. Oct. 31-, 1933 2,121,714 Rose June 21, 1938 2,467,511 Van Fleet Apr. 19, 1949 2,609,193 Foster Sept. 2, 1952 

